The FOP is attempting to get the Indiana Police Officer and Firefighter’s pension changed, so we can retire with a decent pension. Please copy and paste this letter into your own email, and add your personal information at the bottom. Dyer FOP Lodge #169 has started to attempt this change.

We need help from ALL our brothers and sisters. We you are a police officer, EMS, or firefighter......we need your HELP! Ford this in an email to ALL your friends and family.

Here is a list of people that we have been emailing and speaking with:

http://www.in.gov/cgi-bin/legislative/contact/contact.pl

This website features all people in the Indiana General Assembly. There are approximately 150 names listed. Even if you just email one person, that is all we are asking. If you can spend more time, please email and contact as many state officials as possible.

Robert Kuzman, Don Lehe, Linda Lawson, Sue Landske, and Peter Visclosky are just a few of the many people that can assist us with this needed change.

The more people that email our congressman/congresswomen, state reps, senators, etc, ………………the more likely this change will occur!! I just emailed our Lt. Governor Spillman, and it took a mere 30 seconds. Please forward this to any and all of your friends, co-workers, and neighbors.

---------------------------------------------------

Proposed amendments to the Public Employees Retirement Fund (PERF 1977):1. Increase the Officer contribution from 6% to 8%. The town’s contribution will remain at its current level of 21%.2. Increase the payout amount upon retirement, from 50% after twenty years, to 75% of the officer’s top three years.3. Allow military buy-back time into the pension.4. Change the period of becoming vested, from 20 years to 10 years.5. Be able to retire with 20 years of service, regardless of age.

ALL of the above 5 changes can be made without raising taxes (state, local, federal) or placing undue burden on the fund. The ENTIRE pension fund is self funded, as does NOT rely on outside sources for funding. Once again, ALL of the changes can be made without raising taxes.

-------------------------------------------------------

Here is the sample letter you can use:

Dear __________________________ ,

I am writing you today regarding the 1977 Police and Firefighter’s pension fund. The Fraternal Order of Police Members are currently speaking with other State Representatives and Senators regarding the changes we are attempting to make to the pension plan. Indiana police officers and firefighters are currently retiring at or below the national poverty level and the only way to change this is by changing state law.

The members of the Indiana Fraternal Order of Police are asking you support new legislation that will allow our brothers and sisters to retire with dignity and respect. Since the 1977 Pension Fund is self funded, you can be sure that any new legislation will not include any new taxes for our cities and towns.

Please take careful consideration of this legislation and please contact Officer David Vorwald of the Dyer Police Department. Officer Vorwald is available through his email address at davidv136@sbcglobal.net for specific details regarding the changes we are attempting to make.